Michael English – In Christ Alone

American singer Michael English began his career in 1972.  He is best known for his Christmas hit Mary, Did You Know.

English was with several bands and released solo albums.  His group acts include:

• The Singing Americans (1970 to 1982, 1984 to 1985)
• The Goodmans (1982 to 1984)
• The Gospel Couriers (approx. 6 months in 1984)
• The Gaither Vocal Band (1985 – 1994, 2009–2013)

English’s solo albums include:

• Michael English (1991)
• Hope (1993)
• Healing (1995)
• Freedom (1996)
• Gospel (1998)
• Heaven to Earth (2000)
• A Michael English Christmas (2003)
• Greatest Hits: In Christ Alone (2006)
• The Prodigal Comes Home (2008)
• Some People Change (2013)
• Worship (2015)
• Love is the Golden Rule (2017)

English also receive nine Dove awards, including New Artist of the Year (1992), Praise and Worship Album of the Year (1993), and Inspirational Song of the Year (1994).

NOTE: This song is not to be confused with Keith & Kristyn Getty’s In Christ Alone.

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1. What message does the song communicate?

English declares that, though he could boast in his accomplishments, he chooses humility, opting to glory in his deficiencies so that God’s strength may manifest.  Jesus is the only means of knowing the Father, a relationship more valuable than all others.  Everything else is considered forfeit.

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

The entire song aligns with Scripture.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

This song does not contain a Verse/Chorus/Bridge structure.  Therefore, I assigned stanzas to each paragraph.

[Stanza 1]

In Christ alone will I glory

The KJV of 2 Corinthians 12:9 states, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  In other words, English’s glory (or boasting in the NASB) is not found in himself, but in Jesus.

Though I could pride myself
In battles won
For I’ve been blessed beyond measure
And by His strength alone, I overcome
Oh, I could stop and count successes
Like diamonds in my hands
But these trophies could not equal
To the grace, by which I stand

Rather than boasting in himself, English joins the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, choosing to boast in deficiency rather than successes, avoiding pride.

[Stanza 2]

In Christ alone
I place my trust

After all, there’s no other way to salvation except through Jesus (John 14:6 and Acts 4:12).

And find my glory
In the power of the cross

English also boasts in the cross, where Jesus died for him (Galatians 6:14).

In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone

See commentary on Stanza 1.

[Stanza 3]

In Christ alone will I glory

Repeats Stanza 1, line 1.

For only by His grace
I am redeemed

Grace is undeserved favor from God.  English cannot be saved by works.  Only the grace of God will redeem him, through the blood of Christ (Luke 18:9-14, Acts 13:39, Romans 3:20-30, Romans 4:1-7, Romans 8:3, Romans 9:16, Romans 9:31-32, Romans 11:6, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 2:21, Galatians 3:10-12, Galatians 3:21, Galatians 5:2-4, Ephesians 2:8-9, Philippians 3:3-9, 2 Timothy 1:9, Hebrews 6:1-2, and James 2:10-11).

And only His tender mercy
Could reach beyond my weakness

It is the kindness of the Lord that leads to repentence (Romans 2:4).

To my need
Now I seek no greater honor
Than just to know Him more
And to count my gains but losses
And to the glory of my Lord

English concludes that all other pursuits are rubbish compared to knowing God personally (Philippians 3:8-10).

[Stanza 4]

In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory
In the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone

Repeats Stanza 2.

[Stanza 5]

In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory
In the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone

Repeats Stanza 2.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

The entire song is written in plain English, with only a few terms that are unique to Christianity when put together, including “Christ” and “cross”.  Unbelievers should easily arrive at conclusions similar to mine.  The only possible confusing statement is the song’s opening line.  Even then, it’s explained in line 3 of the first Stanza.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God that English’s boast is found in God, through the cross, instead of himself.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Michael English’s In Christ Alone is a classic.  It contains a simple message about boasting in Christ instead of self, pointing to salvation through grace alone through Jesus’ sacrifice and bringing glory to God.  Unbelievers should have little to no problem interpreting similarly.

I highly recommend this song for corporate worship.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: In Christ Alone (listen to the song)

Artist: Michael English

Album: Michael English

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 1991

Duration: 4:00

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*Copyright © 1994 New Spring Publishing Inc. (ASCAP) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Updates:

03/25/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.